Filipina actress Dolly De Leon invited to join academy behind Oscars

FILIPINO actress Dolly de Leon has been invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Ampas), the organization that hands out the Oscars.

Reports out of Hollywood included the “Triangle of Sadness” star in the list of nearly 400 artists and executives in the Academy's official list.

IN GOOD COMPANY ‘Intense’ is how award-winning actress Dolly de Leon reacted to the invitation by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to become its member, alongside singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert — known collectively as the Daniels — who directed ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once,’ which won seven Oscars this year, including best picture. INSTAGRAM PHOTO/DOLLY DE LEON

De Leon confirmed the invitation by tweeting, “Intense!” in reply to a Los Angeles-based Filipino Hollywood journalist who congratulated her.

On Instagram, the actress said her dream “has always been clear to me — to work with artists I admire and respect.” “This was never part of the plan. So did I ever dream of this to happen? No. Did I ever even wish for it to happen? No. Because I never thought it could,” de Leon said. “But it happened and it's a step closer to the goal and gives many others like me HOPE. For those of you who dare to dream, know that nothing is impossible. Now it's your turn.” Joining her is Ke Huy Quan, who recently won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for the Oscar-winning movie “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” His co-star, Stephanie Hsu, is also on the list.

Musicians like Taylor Swift and The Weeknd are also on the Academy's list.

“The Academy is proud to welcome these artists and professionals into our membership. They represent extraordinary global talent across cinematic disciplines, and have made a vital impact on the arts and sciences of motion pictures and on movie fans worldwide,” a joint statement by Academy Chief Executive Officer Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang wrote on the A-Frame website of the Oscars.

De Leon is the third Filipino to join the Academy after directors Lav Diaz and Brillante Mendoza made it in 2017.

The full list of 398 members of the Academy can be found on the A-Frame website of the Oscars. According to an article in Variety, the academy extends invitations to Oscar winners and nominees after their big moment. It also invites artists whose works were shortlisted in the awarding.

The rest of the invitees must be sponsored by two Academy members.

Variety said there are often instances that inclusion in an Oscar-nominated film is enough, such as de Leon's case. She has been described as a “standout” in the film for playing the feisty Abigail, the toilet manager who eventually led a group of survivors from an opulent yacht.

In 2019, seven Filipinos and those with Filipino ancestry — Ditsi Carolino, Baby Ruth Villarama, PJ Raval, Josie Trinidad, Bobby Pontillas, Trevor Jimenez and Lisa Valencia-Svensson — also received invitations.

De Leon had announced she would join the cast of the American TV series “Nine Perfect Strangers” Season 2. The Hulu original series topbills actress Nicole Kidman.